Transit Ridership Increases in All Modes in Third Quarter of 2005

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Even With Decline in Gas Prices in November, Strong Ridership Trend Continues As More Than 25 Agencies Show Double Digit Increases

With high gas prices in the third quarter of 2005, national transit ridership grew by 3.3 % from the same period in 2004, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) today. At the same time that transit ridership was increasing during the 2005 third quarter, Americans parked their cars and vehicle miles of travel (VMT) decreased by 0.2%, according to the Federal Highway Administration statistics. Additionally, a recent survey of transit systems conducted by APTA indicates that this growing ridership trend continued in November, despite a drop in gas prices that month.

"The increased ridership results of the third quarter, combined with the November ridership increases, indicate that more and more Americans want other options besides the automobile," said APTA President William W. Millar. "Transit ridership was on the move in 2005 and I fully expect that it will continue to grow as more people discover the convenience and affordability of public transportation."

Commuter rail showed the second highest national ridership increase for the 2005 third quarter of 4.6%. Larger individual ridership increases were experienced in the following areas: Chesterton, IN (10.4%), Philadelphia (9.9%), Harrisburg (8.9%), San Carlos, CA (7.9%), New Jersey (6.7%), Los Angeles (5.7%).

Other types of public transportation showed the following increases: Bus (2.5%), Demand Response (3.2%) and Trolleybus (0.2%).

APTA recently conducted a survey of 86 large and small U.S. transit agencies regarding November ridership figures to see if ridership trends continued, even as gas prices declined. This survey indicated 88% of the agencies reported transit ridership continued at higher rates than a year earlier, despite the fact that gas prices went down in November. In some places, transit systems reported increases in double digits.

Agencies showing an increase in ridership in November 2005 from the previous November were as follows: